Farid El Alagui has joined Hibs after agreeing a two year contract and the Moroccan striker says he is excited about the challenge ahead.
The 28-year-old became Head Coach Alan Stubbs’ second summer signing – following last week’s arrival of David Gray – and El Alagui says he immediately knew the move was right for him.
Speaking to Hibernian TV, El Alagui said: “I’m really happy to be at Hibs and I’m excited about the challenge ahead.
“We will be doing everything we can to make sure we get back into the Scottish Premiership.
“As soon as I came here the move felt right and I felt good about playing for Hibs.”
The former Falkirk and Brentford centre-forward, who spent last season on loan at Dundee United, admits Stubbs’ enthusiasm played a key part in helping him decide to join Hibernian.
He added: “When I met Alan, I was impressed because he is young and enthusiastic and he wants to bring something new to the club.
“I think the Scottish Championship will be a very exciting league next season and I’m looking forward to playing for Hibernian.
“I had a few other offers to consider before I chose Hibernian. I thought this was the most exciting challenge and it was very clear in my head that I wanted to be here.”
Stubbs says he was delighted to be able to sign El Alagui and stresses that he is targeting other quality signings to add to the squad before the end of August.
Stubbs said: “We’re delighted with the news Farid has decided to join the club – he will be a great addition to the club and his arrival has given everybody a lift.
“We’ve had to fight off competition from Scottish Premiership clubs and also competed with clubs from down south in order to bring Farid here to the club.
“I’m thrilled that he has seen the potential and, after we had a chat, he bought into my vision for Hibernian and the direction where we want to go.
“We’ve mentioned before that we want to add quality players to the squad and Farid’s arrival is the type of signing we’re aiming to introduce this summer.”
Farid is expected to make his Hibernian debut in tomorrow’s friendly at Dunfermline.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
